Providence Missionary Baptist Church celebrated the 31st Appreciation and Retirement Service for Pastor W. D. Hicks and First Lady Gladys Hicks. Sunday 3:00 P.M. August 6, 2006.

From the Pastor's Pen 

This is the day that the Lord has made. We should rejoice and be glad in it.

To Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Friends and Family:

It is with great honor that I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This has been a long, wonder-filled journey. The journey has not always been smooth sailing and has come with many hills a valleys. I can truly say that I have touched many lives, as well as, the fact that many have touched my life.

I confessed my call to the ministry in 1956 at First Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Shappelle in Nachadoches, Texas.  I began pastoring in 1959 at Nazareth Baptist Church in Rosenberg, Texas, where I was pastor for six years and also took on pastoralship at the Rising Star Baptist Church in Louise, Texas, in 1960.  I served at each church two Sundays per month.  I resigned from Nazareth Baptist Church in 1964 and went to Spring Green Baptist Church in 1965 (1st & 3rd Sunday), while still pastoring at the Rising Star Baptist Church.  I resigned from Spring Green Baptist Church in 1975.  I received a call from Providence Missionary Baptist Church for pastoralship in 1975.  I remained at Rising Star Baptist Church 2nd and 4th Sunday.  Although, both churches wanted me to go full-time, I resigned form Rising Star Baptist Church in 1989, after pastoring 29 years and eight months.  In 1989, I became full-time pastor at Providence Missionary Baptist Church, where I have remained until this day, August 6, 2006.

Although, I am retiring from pastoral leadership, I am not leaving the ministry.  There is still much work to be done.  I will always be a servant of the Lord and He will always be first in my life.  I hope to continue to be an inspiration to the lost and heavy-hearted.  My prayer is that God will bless Providence Missionary Baptist Church and all who have been touched by the Ministry that God entrusted to me.  Each of you will always hold a special place in my heart.  God Bless and Keep You All Is My Prayer.

First Lady Glady's Hicks

The Proverb 31 Woman

Who can find a virtous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  She is like the merchant's ships; she bringeth her food from afar.  She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.  She considereth a field, and buyeth it:  with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.  She perceiveth that her mechandise is good:  her candle goeth not out by night.  She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  She is not afraid of the snow for her household:  for all her household are clothed with scarlet.  She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.  She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:  but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.